Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
maximum
8 dictionary results for: maximum
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
max·i·mum       [mak-suh-muhm] Pronunciation Key noun, plural -mums, -ma       [-muh] Pronunciation Key, adjective
–noun
1.the greatest quantity or amount possible, assignable, allowable, etc.
2.the highest amount, value, or degree attained or recorded.
3.an upper limit allowed or allowable by law or regulation.
4.Mathematics.
a.Also called relative maximum, local maximum. the value of a function at a certain point in its domain, which is greater than or equal to the values at all other points in the immediate vicinity of the point. Compare absolute maximum.
b.the point in the domain at which a maximum occurs.
–adjective
5.that is a maximum; greatest or highest possible or attained: maximum satisfaction; maximum temperature.
6.pertaining to a maximum or maximums.

[Origin: 1730–40; < L, n. use of neut. of maximus, superl. of magnus great, large]

max·i·mum·ly, adverb
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
max·i·mum       (māk'sə-məm)  Pronunciation Key 
n.   pl. max·i·mums or max·i·ma (-mə)
    1. The greatest possible quantity or degree.
    2. The greatest quantity or degree reached or recorded; the upper limit of variation.
    3. The time or period during which the highest point or degree is attained.
    4. The moment when a variable star is most brilliant.
    5. The magnitude of the star at such a moment.
    6. The greatest value assumed by a function over a given interval.
    7. The largest number in a set.
  1. An upper limit permitted by law or other authority.
  2. Astronomy
    1. The moment when a variable star is most brilliant.
    2. The magnitude of the star at such a moment.
    3. The greatest value assumed by a function over a given interval.
    4. The largest number in a set.
  3. Mathematics
    1. The greatest value assumed by a function over a given interval.
    2. The largest number in a set.

adj.  
  1. Having or being the greatest quantity or the highest degree that has been or can be attained: maximum temperature.
  2. Of, relating to, or making up a maximum: a maximum number in a series.


[Latin, from neuter of maximus, greatest; see meg- in Indo-European roots.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
maximum 
1740, from L. maximum, neut. of maximus "greatest," superl. of magnus "great, large" (see magnum). Maximize was formed in Eng. 1802, first attested in Bentham, who used it often.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
maximum

adjective
1. the greatest or most complete or best possible; "maximal expansion"; "maximum pressure" [syn: maximal] [ant: minimal

noun
1. the largest possible quantity [ant: lower limit
2. the greatest possible degree; "he tried his utmost" [syn: utmost
3. the point on a curve where the tangent changes from positive on the left to negative on the right [ant: minimum

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
maximum       (māk'sə-məm)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural maximums or maxima
  1. The greatest known or greatest possible number, measure, quantity, or degree.
  2. The greatest value of a mathematical function, if it has such a value.

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

maximum max·i·mum (māk'sə-məm)
n. pl. max·i·mums or max·i·ma (-mə)

  1. The greatest possible quantity or degree.
  2. The greatest quantity or degree reached or recorded; the upper limit of variation.
  3. The time or period during which the highest point or degree is attained.
adj.
  1. Having or being the greatest quantity or the highest degree attained or attainable.
  2. Of, relating to, or making up a maximum.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Maximum

Max"i*mum\, n.; pl. Maxima. [L., neut. from maximus the greatest. See Maxim.] The greatest quantity or value attainable in a given case; or, the greatest value attained by a quantity which first increases and then begins to decrease; the highest point or degree; -- opposed to minimum.

Good legislation is the art of conducting a nation to the maximum of happiness, and the minimum of misery. --P. Colquhoun.

Maximum thermometer, a thermometer that registers the highest degree of temperature attained in a given time, or since its last adjustment.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Maximum

Max"i*mum\, a. Greatest in quantity or highest in degree attainable or attained; as, a maximum consumption of fuel; maximum pressure; maximum heat.

Share This:Share This: digg.comShare This: ma.gnolia.comShare This: www.stumbleupon.comShare This: del.icio.usShare This: FacebookShare This: favorites.live.comShare This: www.technorati.comShare This: furl.netShare This: myweb2.search.yahoo.comShare This: www.google.com